Spinning and twisting apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for spinning and twisting yarn comprising a whorl mounted on a spindle. The spindle is rotatably journalled in a bearing housing. A coupling is provided connecting the whorl to the bearing housing. The coupling having interlocking means one portion of which is concentric abutment member, the other portion of which is a radially slideable latch.

United States Patent 1191 Speiser July 3, 1973 [54] SPINNING AND-TWISTING APPARATUS 2,883,825 4/1959 Reissmueller 57/132 4 [75] Inventor:Helmut Speiser, Grossheppach, 3028721 H962 Keyser 57/132 Germany FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [73] Assgneei SKF Kugellagerfamken GmbH1,128,334 4/1962 Germany 57/132 Schwemfurt, Germany 1,098,864 2/1961Germany 57/132 [22] Filed: June 2, 1971 [21] Appl, No.: 149,291 PrimaryExaminer-Werner H. Schroeder Attorney-Richard Low and Murray Schaffer[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 3, 1970 Germany P 70 20663.2 May 10, 1971 Germany P21 22 963.0 57 ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 57/132Apparatus f pinning and twisting yarn comprising a [5 I] IIIII. CI D0"!7/14 whorl mounted on a pindle, The spindle is rotatably [58] Fleld ofSearch 57/130, I31, I32, j ur alled in a bearing housing A coupling isprovided 57/l33', 134, 13 24/115 connecting the whorl to the bearinghousing. The cou- 228 pling having interlocking means one portion ofwhich is concentric abutment member, the other portion of [56] Referenes Cit d which is a radially slideable latch.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,383,000 6/1921 McGill 57/l32 14 Claims, 6Drawing Figures 75 28 1 I! 52 av 30 38 "1 5' 5 arr/Cl: I as Ila;

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SPINNING AND TWISTING APPARATUS The present invention relates to springand twisting apparatus for yarns and, in particular, to means forcoupling a whorl and spindle.

Textile yarns and fibers are spun or twisted on whorls or rotatingspindle devices mounted on spindle shafts journalled within bearinghousing. It is often necessary to remove and exchange the whorl andtherefore a removeable coupling between the whorl and the spindle andbearing housing is required. In German patent publication AS 1098864, aconstruction is shown in which a moveable securing or latch member isarranged in the throat of the bearing housing and is adapted to engagean annular shoulder or abutment member on the spindle shaft.

The construction shown in the aforementioned patent makes it necessaryto have an additional opening in the cover of the spindle bearinghousing in order to effect the radial shifting of the latch member andin particular, requires the use of a tool to shift the latch member intooperative engagement. This additional opening requires that the .spindlehousing be carefully arranged on the spindle bank so that the opening isaccessible from the front of the opening machine in order to allow entryof the tool and sufficient room to permit the adjustment. A furtherdisadvantage of this construction lies in the fact that the latch andcoupling means must be near the end of the spindle bearing housingthroat causing the roller bearing assembly for the spindle to be locateddeep within the throat. This would make the assembly of the apparatusdifficult, complex and costly. Finally, the latch element is freelymounted within the bearing housing and is capable of being rotated andtwisted relative to the spindle shaft. For this reason, it had beenattempted to employ springs to secure the latch elements within thethroat; however, this last means urged the spindle shaft in an eccentricdirection within the housing so that frequently at high rotationalspeeds the latch member would be so eccentrically urged that it wasthereafter impossible to align the latch with the abutment to effectshifting of the upper portion or whorl of the apparatus.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a coupling meansfor the whorl and spindle which eliminates the defects of the prior art.

According to the present invention, this is obtained by arranging withinthe throat of the bearing housing and within the surrounding skirt ofthe whorl a coupling carrier. Either the coupling carrier or thesurrounding skirt is provided with a concentric fixed abutment memberand a transverse slideable latch member surrounding the carrierresiliently biased to be normally eccentric to the spindle axis andengage the abutment member. By operating the moveable latch, the whorlcan be readily disengaged and separated. With the construction, it ispossible to have only a small radial opening in the skirt of the whorlto manipulate the latch and the latch may be easily mounted to preventaxial movementor twisting and thus not interfere with the rotation ofthe spindle. The sidewise movement of the latch further insures secureinterlocking between the elements and virtual elimination of an effectcaused by the torque or centrifugal action of the device. Also, theeccentric position of the sliding latch with respect to the opening canbe exactly maintained.

The coupling carrier intended according to the present invention canfurther function as the bearing ring for the spindle roller assembly andcan be securely fixed within the throat of the housing to provide asecure and more or less rigid coupling connection.

The slideable latch member can take many forms.

Suitable forms can be of an oval configuration or of a U-shape which,under the effect of its rotation, can be caused to slide in thedirection of the opening; i.e., the tool entrance opening. Thus, thelatch member can be automatically securedly positioned in the operativerelationship whenever the spindle is rotated.

In the event the coupling carrier is provided with the fixed abutmentmember, the slideable latch may comprise a ring-like member arranged toslide transversely of the axis of the spindle. In this instance, theupper end of the carrier may be conically formed to enable it to bepushed easily through the ring and the dimension of the bore of the ringmust be greater than the extent of the concentric abutment member sothat the abutment member may be axially moveable through it. When thefixed abutment member is formed on the whorl itself, the latch slide maybe a ring, a U-shaped spring clip or another similar means. In thisinstance, however, the external diameter of the latch must be smallerthan that of the abutment.

A simple and easily assembled arrangement is obtained when the radiallyslideable latch is an annular ring secured within a circumferentialgroove in the skirt of the whorl. A pin may be provided extendingradially from the outer periphery of the latch into the tool opening.This locates the slide latch accurately and maintains its properlocation even after considerable rotation. The ring can be supported bya spacer and fixed washer-like fastener aginst axial movement. Thespacer may also be provided with flattened shoulders engagingcooperatively flattened shoulders on the ring which prevent furtherrelative rotation or twisting of the ring during operation. In thisconstruction, it is preferable to resiliently bias the ring to have itnormally positioned in abutting engagement. It is, however, notnecessary that the spring be fastened to the ring. On the contrary, asimple leaf spring can be used which chordally bridges the space in thecircumferential groove and with its center portion urges the ringeccentric of the spindle axis toward the tool opening. The outerdimension and the inner bore dimension of the ring are chosen so that inits maximum movement during operation the ring does not engage thecarrier or the spindle shaft and thereby avoids hindering its movement.

A second construction can be obtained where the abutment surface isformed on the whorl and the slideable latch mounted on the carrier. Thisembodiment has the advantage that the whorl may be maintained inoperative balance, being without the eccentric latch member. The spindlecan be thus free of undesireable torque or rotational imbalance. in thisconsturction, the carrier is formed with a reduced shank portion aboutwhich the latch is arranged. Flattened lands may also be provided toprevent rotation and or twisting even if ring latches or U-shpaedlatches are used. A spring is also used which may be loose or may befastened to the ring member. The spring is preferably located chordallybetween the face of the reduced shank portion and the interior of thelatch.

In this second embodiment, an enclosed ring latch may be used, althoughit might be preferred to use the U-shape latch since the free ends ofthe U-shape latch can be sprung and moved resiliently over the reducedshaft portion; thus facilitaing a change of parts. Further, the U-shpaedmember may be simply snaped into place within a narrow groove and thusreduce the complexity and cost of the device. The free ends of the U-shaped member may be provided with means limiting theradial movement ofthe latch. Also, the cross-piece of the U-shaped member. can be madewith cut-out curved portions enhancing the springiness of the member andalso providing means for receiving and fastening the ends of theprestressed spring.

Full details of the present invention as well as a more completeexposition of the objects and advantages follow herein.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section through a whorl and spindle bearing housingassembly showing the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section through line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a section through line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 showing a second embodiment;and

FIG. 6 is a section through line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

In order to maintain the present disclosure as brief as possible, thedescription and the appended drawings relate just so much of a spinningand twisting apparatus as is necessary for a full understanding of theinvention. Structure such as that of the spinning frame, whorl ortwisting mechanism, drive means for rotating the spindle are omittedsince they are conventional and readily known to those skilled in thisart.

Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2 which show one embodiment of the invention,there is seen a lower whorl supporting spindle assembly comprising aspindle bearing housing 10 formed to have a receiving throat at itsupper end. A spindle shaft 12 connected to a drive means and source ofpower (not illustrated) is concentrically mounted within the housing 10and is rotatably supported by a roller bearing assembly 14 securedwithin the receiving throat. The roller bearing assembly 14 is alsoconventional, comprising a lower retaining ring, an annular cylindricalrace and a plurality of rollers engaging the surface of the spindleshaft 12.

Mounted above the end of the spindle bearing housing is a whorl or otherconventional spinning or twisting device 16. The whorl is generallyconventional in form and is provided with a depending annular skirtsurrounding the throat of the spindle bearing housing 10. The spindleshaft 12 extends into the whorl l6 and is scparably connected or keyedto it so that rotation of the spindle causes the whorl to rotate. Theskirt or lower portion of the whorl is spaced from the bearing housing10 to permit rotation and a degree of radial movement.

Removeably coupling the lower bearing assembly with the whorl is aconnecting carrier generally defined by the numeral 18. The carrier isprovided with radially outwardly directed flanges 20 and 22 at its lowerand upper ends respectively. The lower flange 20 grips the wall of thebearing housing 10 within the throat and lies on the race of the rollerbearing assembly 14 to form the upper retaining ring. The upper edge ofthe bearing housing 10 is bent over to form a lip 24 which securesitself on the flange 20 and thereby holds the connecting carrier 18 fastwithin the throat against axial movement. The carrier 18 has anelongated shank 26 surrounding the spindle shaft 12. The inner wall ofthe shank 26 is spaced from the spindle shaft to permit free rotationand also some degree of radial clearance.

The upper flange 22 of the connecting member has a planar lower facewhich forms an impact or abutment shoulder while its upper face isconically formed. The abutment surface of the upper flange 22 lies abovethe slideable securing member generally defined by the numeral 28. Thesecuring member or latch 28 takes the form of a ring or annular memberand is secured within a circumferential groove 30 formed in the innerwall of the skirt of the whorl 16. The ring latch 28 has a generallyoval shape of smaller overall diameter than the skirt of whorl 16 and isthus radially slideable transversely to the axis of the spindle. Thelatch 28 is supported by a fastening element 32 mounted in a secondgroove and a spacer or washer 34 on which the latch 28 lies. Thefastening element 32 and spacer 34 have an inner diameter at leastlarger than the diameter of the flange 22.

As will be clearly seen in FIG. 2, the oval securing latch ring 28 hasan inner bore 36 eccentric to the outer circumference and is located tosurround the shank 26 of the connecting carrier 18. The skirt of thewhorl 16 is provided with an entrance opening 38 located along thetransverse plane of the securing ring 28. The securing latch ring 28 isalso provided with a radially extending pin 40 adapted to enter into theentrance opening 38. The bore 36 of the latch ring 28 is dimensioned sothat it is at least slightly larger than the diameter of flange 22 andalso that it is continuously spaced from the shank 26 even when the ringis transversely shifted to its maximum extent toward the entranceopening 38; i.e., when its outer peripheral surface contacts the innerwall of the whorl skirt. It will be understood that the latch 28 rotateswith the whorl 16 because of the connection between the opening 38 andpin 40 and because of its eccentricity and oval shape may tend to movetoward the opening 38; however, the diameter of the bore 36 provides thenecessary spacing between it and the shank 26 so as not to impederotation.

The diameter of the bore 36 is furthermore made at least as large as theradial extent of the upper flange 22 of the connecting carrier 18 sothat the flange may move through it and so that in tis operativeposition (FIGS. 1 and 2) the latch 28 underlies at least a portion ofthe abutment face of the upper flange 22. The whorl 16 is thus preventedfrom moving axially upward by the engagement of the securing ring latch28 and the abutment surface of the flange 22 even under high rotationalspeeds and centrifugal action. The latch 28 is further prevented fromrelative rotation with respect to the whorl by providing the spacerwasher 34 with upwardly or axial extending parallel guide rails 42, 44to either side of the ring 28. The rails 42 and 44 are opposed to eachother and are provided with smooth faces 46. Similarly, the latch 28 isformed with parallel opposed smooth lands 48 and 50 cooperativelyengaging the rails 42 and 44 respectively. Thus, the ring latch 28 ispermitted to move transversely of the spindle axis from right to left asseen in FIG. 2. The latch 28 is, however, normally biased by a chordallyarranged leaf spring 52 located opposite and normal to the entranceopening 38 within the groove 30 formed in the inner wall of the whorl.The ends of the spring 52 are secured in the wall of the whorl while itscentral portion abuts the outer circumference of the ring latch 28 so asto resiliently urge the latch toward the entrance opening 38. As notedbefore, the diameter of the bore 36 of the securing ring latch 28 isdimensioned so that even in maximum extent of movement toward theentrance opening at least a small space and radial clearance is providedbetween the wall of the bore 36 and the wall of the shank 26.

It will thus be appreciated that the arrangement seen in FIGS. 1 and 2provides a secure interlocking coupling-or connection between thespindle bearing housing and the whorl 16. Inoperation, the upper surfaceof the securing ring latch member 28 will engage with the raiallyextending abutment surface of the flange 22 preventing axial movment,avoiding separation of the parts, even under extreme speeds of spindlerotation. The spring 52 maintains the ring member 28 securely located inposition while the opening 38 and pin 40 together with the side guiderails and lands prevent unwanted rotation and movement. Should theforces operating on either the upper lower assemblies tend to cause thewhorlto lift the impact surface and the entrance opening will preventdisengagement.

To remove the whorl; i. e., the upper portion of the device from thespindle bearing housing, it is only necessary to insert a pencil-likeobject into the entrance opening 38 and to push the securing ring latch28 to the left (as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2). The latch 28 is thusmovedagainst the bias of the spring 52 until the eccentric bore 36 isaligned with the flange 22 at the upper end of the carrier 18. The upperportion or whorl can then be easily moved since the flange 22 will passaxially through the bore 36, spacer 34 and fastening element 32,allowing separation of the two parts.

To assemble the two separate parts, the pencil-like tool is notrequired, since the conical upper surface of flange 22 will permit thetwo portions to be easily pushed together. The conically tapered edgeengages the interior of the latch 28 in keylike fashion, pushing it tothe left against the bias of spring 52 until the abutment surface of theflange 22 snaps over the latch, Thereafter, the spring 52 causes thering 28 to assume its operating position beneath the abutment surface.

In the embodiment seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the device is basicallyconstructed in the same way as in the prior embodiment except that theabutment surface is formed on the inner wall of the whorl itself andthat the upper part of the connecting carrier is modified. Otherwise,the spindle bearing housing, the whorl, and the lower portion of theconnecting carrier are identical with the first embodiment and shall notbe further described.

As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connecting carrier, generally defined bynumeral 60, is fixed within the throat of the spindle bearing housing62, extending axially outwardly therefrom in a shank or neck portion 64of smaller diameter spaced from the inner most edge of the interior wallof the whorl. Extending upwardly from the shank 64 is a second neckportion 66 of even a smaller diameter, forming an inwardly taperingsteplike end to the carrier 60. The step 64 and 66 define an annularshoulder 68 on which a latch member generally having the numeral 70rests. The extending step portion 66 is provided with a pair of parallelopposed flattened land portions 72 and 74 on each side and the latch isalso provide with similarly formed flattened lands 76 and 78corresponding therewith. Thus, the ring latch 70 is prevented fromrotating about the step 66.'The latch 70 is provided with a central bore80 which has a greater extent in the transverse direction; i.e.,parallel to the lands 76 and 78, than the diameter of the step 66. Thus,the latch 70 is radially slideable from right to left as seen in thefigures. A leaf spring 82 is located in the space between the step 66and the inner wall-of the bore 80. The leaf spring has its ends securedin the wall of the bore 80 and its central portion abut in theengagement against the cylindrical surface of the shank 66. The leafspring 82 thus urges the latch 70 to the right as seen in FIG. 4. Thewhorl 84 is provided with an entrance opening 86 positioned on the rightadjacent to the edge of the latch 70. The latch 70 has an outerdimension approximately equal to the diameter of the shank 64 and isdimensioned so as not to engage the surface of the whorl. Because of thelands 72 and 74 on step 66, the latch 70 is prevented from rotating. Thelatch 70 is prevented from moving axially by a spacer washer 88 set in agroove at the end of the connecting carrier 60 and fastened by a nut orother fastening element 92.

The inner wall is provided in the plane of the shank portion 64 with aradially inwardly extending ledge 94 forming a flat annular shoulder onits upper surface and having a conical outwardly tapering face on itslower surface. The ledge 94 defines an inner space or radial clearancetherebe tween. The annular shoulder ledge 94 has a flattened abutmentsurface which is located beneath the plane of the securing ring member70, which at least in part is seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 engagingly overliesits surface. Thus, the latch 70 and the ledge 94 interengage andcooperate to interlock the upper portion or whorl with the lower portionor bearing housing. They, of course, react in the same manner as theconstruction seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

To disengage the upper portion from the lower portion a pencillike toolis inserted within the opening 86 and the latch 70 is pushed to the left(as seen in the figures) so far that is outer surface or peripherybecomes coaxial with the opening formed by the annular ledge 94. Whenthis occurs the whorl may be lifted and removed. To assemble themechanism, the conical lower surface of the ledge 94 permits the whorlto be pressed on to the bearing housing since the ring member can beeasily moved against the spring 82 The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6is similar to that of FIGS. 3 and 4 in that the abutment ledge is alsoprovided on the. inner wall of the whorl. However, here modification hasbeen made to the upper end of the connecting carrier 60. Inother-respects, the construction is the same as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2and therefore the structure of the lower end of the carrier, the bearinghousing and roller assembly are not described again.

In the embodiment, the securing latch holding the upper and lowersections together comprises a U-- shaped member, generally depicted bythe numeral 100. The outer dimension of the member is no larger thanthat of the shank of the carrier 60 and is inserted through its openbight within a circumferential groove 102 formed within the shank. Thegroove 102 is defined at its bottom by a shoulder 104 formed by acylindrical section 106 of the carrier and at its top by a radial flange108. The latch 100 is slideable within the groove and extends eccentricto one side of the cylindrical circumference of the shank portion 106 ofthe carrier 60. The groove 102 is located just above the plane of theinwardly extending annular ledge 94 so that at least a portion of thelatch 100 may be caused to lie over the ledge 94, thus, causing theupper section; i.e., whorl, and the lower section; i.e'., spindlebearing housing, to interlock so that the two can not be separated.

The latch 100 is U-shaped and is provided with a pair of lateral legs110 and 112 connected by a cross-piece 114. This arrangement provides aresilient element allowing the lateral legs to be flexed spring-likewith respect to the cross-piece. Both lateral legs 110 and 112 haveinner slide edge portions 116 and 116 which are parallel to each otherand which have tip-like ends 118 and 118 respectively which are adaptedto partially encircle the shank portion 106. The shank portion 106itself has a pair of parallel diametrically opposed flattened lands 120and 120' on which the slide edge 116 and 116' respectively ride, and inthe manner previously noted prevent the latch ring from rotation. Theinner edge 122 of the cross-piece 114 is curved to conform to thecurvature of the shank 106 opposite to it. The distance between the lips118 and 118' and the inner edge 122 is greater than the diameter of theshank portion 106 so that a space 124 is defined between the inner edge122 and the shank. The leaf spring 126 is located in this space 124 andserves to bias the securing member toward the right (as seen in thedrawings) maintaining the securing member 100 normally eccentric of thecarrier 60. The tips 118 and 118 at the ends of the legs 116 and 116'respectively limit the normal movement of the securing member 100 sincethey engage the surface of the shank 106. The outer dimension; i.e.,diameter, of the securing member 100 is choosen such that its out walledge does not touch the wall of the whorl and that sufflcient radialclearance is allowed to permit free rotation of the whorl.

The leaf spring 126 is prestressed or tensioned to normally maintain thesecuring member 100 in operative postion over the flat abutment surfaceof the ledge 94. As seen in FIG. 6, the seucring member 100 is providedwith cut-out portions 128 and 128' between the ends of the cross-piece114 and the legs 116 and 116 respectively. These cut-out portionsprovide arches 130 and 130 in which the ends of the leaf spring 126 mayseat and be retained. In this manner, the spring 126 may be maintainedout of contact with the inner edges of the securing latch 100 and inparticular, the spring 'allows the latch 100 to be accurately moved inthe radial direction.

To disengage the whorl from the spindle, the whorl must frst be rotatedso that the entrance opening 86 is aligned with the back of thecross-piece 114 of the securing member 100. A pencil-like tool may thenbe inserted to radially move the latch 100 against the force of thespring 126 so that the inner shoulder or ledge 94 is freed fromengagement with the securing member and the parts may be separated.Assembly is similar to that obtained in the preceding embodiment, inthat the conical surface permits the sections to be pressed together.

As noted earlier, the latch 100 is retained within the groove 106. It iseasily mounted therein or demounted if desired by moving it in a radialdirection. This takes advantage of the resilient nature of the structureand the desired cooperation with the shank portion of the carrier onwhich it is mounted. The construction has the advantage of removing anyimbalance from the whorl which might occur if the latch were mounted onthe whorl itself.

It will be apparent that various modifications and changes can be madeto the structure described without departing from the concept of thepresent invention. Accordingly, the disclosure is to be taken asillustrative and not limiting of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for spinning and twisting yarn comprising a housing havinga throat at one end, a spindle journalled within said housing forrotation about its axis, said spindle extending outwardly of saidthroat, a whorl concentrically connected to said spindle for rotationtherewith and extending at least in part about the throat of saidhousing, a coupling comprising a carrier mounted at one end within saidthroat and extending axially about said spindle within said whorl, saidcarrier and said whorl having means cooperating to interlock said whorland carrier against axial movement, com prising a fixed member having anabutment surface extending transversely to and concentric with the axisof said spindle and a slidable securing latch resiliently biased to benormally eccentric to the axis of the spindle to selectively engage saidabutment surface of said fixed member, including means for securing saidlatch against rotation relative to the axis of said whorl, said fixedmember and said latch being axially movable one within the other ontransverse movement of said latch, to effect disengagement thereofpermitting separation of said whorl from said carrier.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 including an opening in said whorlpermitting access to said latch to move the same.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said carrier comprises anelongated shank secured at one end within the throat of said housing andhaving a radially outwardly directed flange at its other end, saidflange forming an abutment surface on its lower face, and wherein saidslideable securing latch comprises a ring mounted about said shaft belowsaid abutment face, means connecting said ring to said whorl forconjoint rotation, said ring having an eccentric inner bore greater thanthe diameter of said flange permitting said ring under centrifugalaction caused by the rotation of said whorl to slide beneath and engageat least a portion of said abutment surface and to be slideable so as tobe aligned with said flange to permit axial separation.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said securing ring ismounted within a circumferential groove within the wall of said whorland provided with means for preventing axial movement along said shank.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 including spring means acting onsaid ring to normally bias said ring eccentric of said shank.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the upper face of saidradially extending flange is conically tapered to permit entry of saidflange within said ring.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the means forinterconnecting the ring and the whorl comprises a pin extendingradially from the periphery of said ring into the entrance opening.

8. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said carrier comprises anelongated shank secured at one end to said housing, and is provided atits other end with means for receiving said slideable securing latch,said receiving means comprises a shank portion of reduced diameter aboutwhich said slideable securing member is located, said slideable securingmember having an interior bore greater than the diameter of said reducedshank portion and an exterior dimension substantially equal'to saidshank, the inner wall of the whorl being formed with a radiallyextending ledge forming an abutment surface on its upper face locatedbeneath said slideable securing member and radially spaced from saidshank portion, and means for resiliently urging said slideable securingmember eccentric of said shank to abuttingly engage at least a portionof said ledge, and to be slideable into alignment with the shank portionto permit axial movement through said ledge.

reduced shank portion and said slideable securing member are providedwith cooperating means to prevent relative rotation therebetween.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said cooperating meanscomprise cooperating flattened land surface on each of said reduce shankportion and said slideable member.

13. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said slideable membercomprises a ring, the inner bore of which is greater in dimension thanthe diameter of said reduced shank portion and includes spring meansarranged within said bore and acting on said reduced shank portion andsaid reduced shank portion and said ring to bias said ring normally intoengagement with said abutment surface.

14. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said slideable securingmember is U-shaped having a pair of lateral legs and a cross-pieceresiliently secureable about said reduced shank portion, said reducedshank portion and said lateral legs having cooperating flattened landsurface to prevent relative rotation, spring means located with saidU-shapedmember between the reduced shank portion and saidcross-pieceforbiasing said U-shaped member eccentric of said shank, and means at theend of each of said lateral legs to limit the extent of such bias.

1. Apparatus for spinning and twisting yarn comprising a housing havinga throat at one end, a spindle journalled within said housing forrotation about its axis, said spindle extending outwardly of saidthroat, a whorl concentrically connected to said spindle for rotationtherewith and extending at least in part about the throat of saidhousing, a coupling comprising a carrier mounted at one end within saidthroat and extending axially about said spindle within said whorl, saidcarrier and said whorl having means cooperating to interlock said whorland carrier against axial movement, comprising a fixed member having anabutment surface extending transversely to and concentric with the axisof said spindle and a slidable securing latch resiliently biased to benormally eccentric to the axis of the spindle to selectively engage saidabutment surface of said fixed member, including means for securing saidlatch against rotation relative to the axis of said whorl, said fixedmember and said latch being axially movable one within the other ontransverse movement of said latch, to effect disengagement thereofpermitting separation of said whorl from said carrier.
 2. The apparatusaccording to claim 1 including an opening in said whorl permittingaccess to said latch to move the same.
 3. The apparatus according toclaim 2 wherein said carrier comprises an elongated shank secured at oneend within the throat of said housing and having a radially outwardlydirected flange at its other end, said flange forming an abutmentsurface on its lower face, and wherein said slideable securing latchcomprises a ring mounted about said shaft below said abutment face,means connecting said ring to said whorl for conjoint rotation, saidring having an eccentric inner bore greater than the diameter of saidflange permitting said ring under centrifugal action caused by therotation of said whorl to sLide beneath and engage at least a portion ofsaid abutment surface and to be slideable so as to be aligned with saidflange to permit axial separation.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3wherein said securing ring is mounted within a circumferential groovewithin the wall of said whorl and provided with means for preventingaxial movement along said shank.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4including spring means acting on said ring to normally bias said ringeccentric of said shank.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5 whereinthe upper face of said radially extending flange is conically tapered topermit entry of said flange within said ring.
 7. The apparatus accordingto claim 4 wherein the means for interconnecting the ring and the whorlcomprises a pin extending radially from the periphery of said ring intothe entrance opening.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein saidcarrier comprises an elongated shank secured at one end to said housing,and is provided at its other end with means for receiving said slideablesecuring latch, said receiving means comprises a shank portion ofreduced diameter about which said slideable securing member is located,said slideable securing member having an interior bore greater than thediameter of said reduced shank portion and an exterior dimensionsubstantially equal to said shank, the inner wall of the whorl beingformed with a radially extending ledge forming an abutment surface onits upper face located beneath said slideable securing member andradially spaced from said shank portion, and means for resilientlyurging said slideable securing member eccentric of said shank toabuttingly engage at least a portion of said ledge, and to be slideableinto alignment with the shank portion to permit axial movement throughsaid ledge.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 8 including means forpreventing axial movement of said slideable securing member.
 10. Theapparatus according to claim 8 wherein the lower face of said annularledge is conical to permit sliding of said securing member on axialengagement therewith.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 8 whereinsaid reduced shank portion and said slideable securing member areprovided with cooperating means to prevent relative rotationtherebetween.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein saidcooperating means comprise cooperating flattened land surface on each ofsaid reduce shank portion and said slideable member.
 13. The apparatusaccording to claim 8 wherein said slideable member comprises a ring, theinner bore of which is greater in dimension than the diameter of saidreduced shank portion and includes spring means arranged within saidbore and acting on said reduced shank portion and said reduced shankportion and said ring to bias said ring normally into engagement withsaid abutment surface.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 8 whereinsaid slideable securing member is U-shaped having a pair of lateral legsand a cross-piece resiliently secureable about said reduced shankportion, said reduced shank portion and said lateral legs havingcooperating flattened land surface to prevent relative rotation, springmeans located with said U-shapedmember between the reduced shank portionand saidcross-piecefor biasing said U-shaped member eccentric of saidshank, and means at the end of each of said lateral legs to limit theextent of such bias.